Ukraine’s 116th Khorne Group launched an assault on an approaching Russian column in the area to the north east of the Kursk salient at the village of Rylsk, a point of dislocation for one of Russia’s ground lines of communication towards the new bulge Ukraine’s new ‘summer’ counteroffensive has created. The strike annihilated multiple Russian vehicles. According to some accounts, the strike resulted in the destruction of more than 10 Russian vehicles with Russian soldiers smoldering inside of the destroyed trucks.
In addition, Rybar, one of Russia’s nationalist centers for Russian research, uploaded a photo of a strike to the north east of Rylsk without details, indicating that Ukrainians are actively seeking to lay a foothold on the village Rylsk.[] – [@rybar_force: 1821866241725776150]
Russia has started bombing the areas occupied by Ukrainians in the Kursk region with FAB-500 bombs dropped by Russian Su-34s. One of Russia’s news media channels noted: “ أسقطت عليهم قنابل “FAB-500”.. مقاتلات طراز “Su-34” الروسية تدمر مركبات مدرعة وتحييد عددا من جنود القوات الأوكرانية التي حاولت اقتحام المنطقة الحدودية لمقاطعة كورسك.” [] – [@RTArabic:1821579507582509082] The post, however, did not specify which sector of the Kursk salient the Russians bombed. It is unclear from the footage where the bombings occurred.
Ukrainians appear to be continuing their hold over the Suzhda gas terminal. According to Russian milbloggers, the Ukrainians have begun to entrench around the terminal in an effort to ensure its continued hold on the valuable geopolitical military objective. These reports coincided with Russian reports on the brigades Ukraine deployed for the Kursk operation.
In an article published by the Russian news agency, Взгляд, the title read: “ВСУ дорого заплатят за вторжение в Курскую область.” The article indicated that Ukraine began to evacuate its citizens from the Sumy region. The article contained important information about the brigades that Ukraine deployed. It stated:
“Одна из особенностей 22-й бригады ВСУ – обилие инженерной техники. В частности, этой бригаде приданы немецкие мостоукладчики Biber на базе «Леопардов» и инженерные машины на базе МТЛБ. Иначе говоря, это специализированная бригада, предназначенная для проведения наступательных операций в местности с обилием рек и болот. Второе подразделение ВСУ, которое, по ряду сообщений, также задействовано во вторжении – 88-я омбр, также почти целиком оснащено западной техникой. Одновременно атакам украинских беспилотников подверглись местные населенные пункты. Дроном была атакована даже машина скорой помощи.”
According to Russian sources, a large column of Russian artillery pieces, towed as well as MLRS such as the BMP-21, appear to be en route to the Kursk salient. In one video whose geolocation is not yet determined, Ukrainian is heard in the background announcing how “близько 50-ти війскових РФ склали зброю.”
Ukraine’s assault preceded attacks in the north-eastern sector of the area surrounding Kursk, such as in Voronezh, where Ukraine successfully targeted an ammunition depot 130 kilometers from the frontline. According to Ukrainian milbloggers, who published a post entitled: “Наслідки детонації складу БК у Воронезькій області.” The post stated: “Окрім великої кількості артилерійських боєприпасів увагу привертають залишки транспортно-пускового контейнера, імовірно, до ПУ С-300В.” [] – [ukr_informant:11502]
Throughout other aspects of Russia’s borderlands, Ukraine has continued its strikes, striking a repair facility in the Belgorod region. According to a Ukrainian milblogger, @EjShahid: “Заявлено про удар українськими дронами по російській ремонтній базі в Новому Осколі, Бєлгородська область.” [1821821796099760190]
Russian news stations have begun to publish footage of the effects of Kursk’s evacuation. Throughout Kursk, Russians are mobilizing to assist the evacuated residents. Russia’s РИА, for instance, published a video showing the ‘whole country’ helping Kursk residents: “Вся страна сейчас помогает жителям Курской области. Волонтеры из разных регионов отправляют туда все необходимое: воду и продукты, спальные принадлежности, теплые вещи, лекарства и предметы гигиены. Помощь получают не только гражданские, но и бойцы с медиками.”[] – [@rianru:1821935361787826350] According to the report, the Russians have gathered more than 400 tons of food to help the evacuated residents.
It is clear that the Kursk operation is one of the best well planned, if not the best, operation Ukraine has yet to launch, given the correct alignment of various formations for the lightening advance.
With Ukraine’s continued control over the Suzhda gas terminal, gas prices continue to surge, right when the weather is scheduled to turn from hot to cold, meaning that Winter demand is expected to exacerbate the surging prices, especially for Hungary and Slovakia. According to The Moscow Times, “Gas Prices [are Surging] as Ukraine Seizes Key Russian Route to Europe.”
